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Frequently asked questions WHAT IS SPECTRAROOF®? WHAT DOES SPECTRAROOF® MEAN? WHAT IS TPE? WHY APPLY TPE IN ROOFING SHEETS? WHICH SPECTRAPLAN® TPE ROOFING SHEETS ARE ALREADY IN THE MARKET? WHAT IS MENT BY SPECTRAROOF® TPE ROOF ENGINEERING? WHAT IS SPECTRAROOF®? Spectraroof® is a total Roof Engineering Concept for flexible single ply polymeric roofing, specifically developed for use by the IKO Group Europe. For more information on IKO: see our web-site www.iko.com. The Roof Engineering Concept comprises a range of Spectraplan® TPE roofing membranes, thermal insulation, mechanical fasteners and vapour control layers, as well as an extensive selection of accessories for detailing. In addition to the product range, a comprehensive project support package is available, giving advice on all aspects of the system installation. This service can include site inspections, written reports and specifications, technical calculations and support during the project works. Spectraroof® roofs are only installed by Approved Roofing Contractors who have been trained in the use of the system, and have access to the Technical Manual of the Spectraroof® Roof Engineering Concept. All roof works are executed under the supervision of the Technical Services Department of the local IKO Europe Company concerned, and the successfully completed installation is issued with an Insurance Backed Warranty, covering materials and labour. WHAT DOES SPECTRAROOF® MEAN? The Spectraroof® concept was developed by the IKO Group Europe, with detailed collaboration involving three of the most important European roofing membrane production companies (ATAB in Belgium, NEBIPROFA in the Netherlands and RUBEROID in the United Kingdom). The choice of TPE polymer for the roofing membranes included in the Spectraroof® Roof Engineering Concept was based on detailed research of world-wide market requirements and state of the art product information. As such TPE combines the best properties of both thermoplastic and elastomeric synthetic technology. The complete manufacturing process, from formulation, raw material control, compounding and finally, production is controlled by specialists of IKO Europe. This specialist knowledge is supported outside our Group by strategic alliances built with companies having a strong international reputation in the sector of synthetic polymers. Production of the membranes is carried out in Europe at various locations, and conforms to ISO 9001 and 14001 certified production requirements. With the Spectraroof® Roof Engineering Concept under the umbrella of , you can make use of all our services and throughout the whole of Europe. WHAT IS TPE? TPE is the name of a specific group of Polyolefines that contain both thermoplastic (thermally weldable) and elastomeric (rubber or elastic) properties. Polyolefines are polymers (synthetics) based exclusively on carbon and hydrogen; examples are PE (Polyethylene) and PP (Polypropylene). These more traditional Polyolefines are thermoplastics, meaning that under the influence of temperature these materials can be formed as plastic. Specific for a thermoplastic is that form changing under temperature is reversible and can be executed more times. Applied in synthetic single ply roofing sheets the thermoplastic feature makes them “weldable” (e.g. thermoplastic materials can be softened with help of hot air and sealed/jointed together). Thermoplastic Polyolefines (in short abbreviated as TPO but also found as FPO (flexible Polyolefines) or FPA (flexible Polyolefin Alloy) have been applied in the roof market over 10 years with varying success: depending of the type of polyolefin used as the basic polymer. Specific application techniques apply in the use of some of these polymers that must be carefully followed to ensure successful installation. In a partnership with a global player in the field of polymer engineering and production, a patented formulation has been developed with these special thermoplastic Polyolefines; that also contain elastomeric properties. State-of-the art catalysts ensure the processing of extremely pure polyolefines having a mainly elastomeric character, and of which the elastomeric properties can be regulated. Although probably not correctly abbreviated, this new generation of polymers in the market also better known as TPE: Thermoplastic Polyolefin Elastomers. WHY APPLY TPE IN ROOFING SHEETS? In general, a roof is one of the most severe tests for the use of polymer technology, providing the harshest ageing and fatigue conditions. Application of Spectraplan® TPE synthetic roofing sheets offers in practical applications the advantages of both thermoplastics and elastomers: TPE has chemically built in elasticity, as opposed to thermoplastics, where the “elasticity” exists in physical stretching of the polymer chains. TPE has a wide flow diagram whereas elastomers do not show flow behaviour. The unique properties of TPE, as an engineered polymer have made it suitable for use in extreme conditions, with proven long-term performance. Amongst other uses are in the cable industry, automotive industry and food packaging industry, and now also as roofing. The Spectraplan® TPE roofing sheets offer solutions for all existing roof systems; mechanically fixed, loose laid and ballasted, partially and fully bonded, primarily as a single ply synthetic roof system. WHICH SPECTRAPLAN® TPE ROOFING SHEETS ARE ALREADY IN THE MARKET? In the framework of the Roof Engineering Concept following Spectraroof® roof systems are developed : Spectraplan® SM roofing sheets applied as single layer, mechanically fixed, synthetic roofing system. For the mechanically fastened Spectraplan® SM system, which is suitable for both flat and sloping roofs, TPE roofing sheets are reinforced with special polyester scrim. During the production process, 2 identical layers of TPE polymer are laminated to and through polyester scrim reinforcement, resulting in very high mechanical properties. The Spectraplan® SM roofing sheets are loose laid on the substrate and in order to resist wind uplift forces they are secured to the underlying substructure using the Spectrafix® mechanical fastening system. The exceptional mechanical strength and joint weld strength of Spectraplan® SM roofing sheets enable wind uplift forces to pass through the special Spectrafix® mechanical fastening system directly into the roof’s substructure. The Spectrafix® mechanical fastening system is suitable for most substructures, including profiled steel, concrete and wood. The standard thickness of Spectraplan® SM TPE roofing sheets is 1.2 mm (SM120). The standard width of Spectraplan® SM is 2.05 m and the standard length is 20 m. Spectraplan® roofing sheets are available both in light grey and dark grey. Spectraplan® SM TPE roofing sheets have at both edges a homogenous finish of 10mm. Spectraplan® SG roofing sheets applied as single layer, partially and/or fully adhered, synthetic roofing system. The (partially) bonded Spectraplan® SG system, suitable for both flat and (slightly) sloping roofs, is carried out with TPE polymer roofing sheets reinforced with a special backing of thermally stabilised polyester fleece. During the production process of the roofing sheets, 1 or 2 identical layers of TPE polymer are laminated to each other and into the polyester fleece, resulting in a very high degree of mechanical adhesion between the TPE and the backing. The Spectraplan® SG roofing sheets are securely fastened to resist wind loads on the underlying substructure using the Spectrabond® glued fastening system. The particularly strong mechanical adhesion of the Spectraplan® roofing sheet and the high joint weld strength ensure that the forces to which it is subjected, as result of the wind loads, are transferred via the Spectrabond® glued fastening system and via the glue-profile to the substructure of the roof. The Spectrabond® glued fastening system is suitable for most substructures, such as EPS and PUR/PIR thermal insulation, concrete and timber decks. Spectraplan® SG polymer roofing sheets are delivered in a standard thickness of 1.2 mm (SG120). The standard width of Spectraplan® SG is 2.05 m and it is available in both light and dark grey in the standard length of 20 m. The sheet has a self-edge of 50 mm on one side. Spectraplan® SB roofing sheets applied as single layer, loose laid and ballasted, synthetic roofing system. The loose laid, ballasted Spectraplanâ SB system, suitable for both flat and (slightly) sloping roofs (depending on type of ballast applied), is carried out with TPE polymer roofing sheets reinforced with a special carrier based on ultra flat glass fleece. During the production process, 2 identical layers of TPE polymer are laminated to and through the glass fleece, resulting in extreme dimensional stability. The Spectraplan® SB roofing sheets are loose laid on the substrate and in order to resist wind uplift forces they are secured to the underlying substructure using a ballast system. The exceptional dimensional stability of the Spectraplan® roofing sheet and joint weld strength of Spectraplan® SB roofing sheets enable forces from the ballast layer (coarse rounded gravel, (concrete) tiles or a green vegetation) to be spread evenly over the roof surface and directly onto the roof’s substructure. The loose laid ballasted Spectraplan® SB system is suitable for most substructures that can carry severe loads, such as concrete, cellular concrete and timber. The standard thickness of Spectraplan® SB TPE roofing sheets is 1.2 mm (SB120). The standard width of Spectraplan® SB is 2.05 m and the standard length is 20 m. Spectraplan® roofing sheets are available both in light grey and dark grey. Spectraplan® D detail membrane applied as waterproofing with complex detailing in the Spectraplan® SM/SG/SB mono-layer synthetic roofing systems. The complex detailing in the Spectraroof® roof systems shall be carried out using Spectraplan® D homogenous detail membrane. During the production process of the detail membrane, 2 identical layers of TPE polymer are laminated resulting in a true homogenous sheet. The exceptional flexibility and elasticity of the homogenous Spectraplan® D detail membrane makes a waterproof solution possible even in the most complicated detailing. The standard thickness of Spectraplan® D TPE detail membrane is 1.2 mm (D120). The standard width of Spectraplan® D is 2.05 m and the standard length is 20 m. Spectraplan® roofing sheets are available both in light grey and dark grey. WHAT IS MENT BY SPECTRAROOF® TPE ROOF ENGINEERING? Roof Engineering is of the utmost concern to IKO Europe for the TPE roofing systems specified for your project, from initial concept, to completion of the final roof. This is the basis of a sound roofing system, and is as important as having a wide range in roofing sheets, and a complete range of ancillary products, as all of these factors determine the quality of the finished roof performance. Other important items involved in the program are: - Spectrafix® and Spectrabond® fastening systems - Spectradrain® outlets and drains - Spectrafab® prefabricated section pieces - Spectraplate® sheet metal - Spectrapad® walkway items. Each individual IKO Europe Company has a special Technical Services Department; which deals with of all items related to the technical preparation of a project. State of the art calculation technology is used for wind uplift and building physics, water drainage and any specific local demands for a given roof system. Spectraroof® roofs are applied by specially selected Approved Contractors. The installing companies concerned are fully trained at the Training Centre of the IKO Group company and are skilled in the different application techniques detailed in the Technical Manual. IKO Europe searches in this for companies that share its vision in a 1+1=3 cooperation: an ongoing update from IKO Europe in combination with the intensive market approach of both the producer and the Approved Contractor and a monitored client base, makes that projects realised will be of such a high standard that a span in lifetime of minimum 25 years may be expected. Completed projects carried out by Approved Contractors across Europe, can be issued with a 10 year Insured Warranty. Reference projects are already available to visit in Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and UK. A European Technical Approval has been applied for and is expected end of 2003. Meanwhile an extensive test program to achieve the certificates is running.